The India-US relationship can serve mutual interests as well as the global good, says EAM Jaishankar
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington DC on Thursday (December 26, 2024) to review the advancement of India-US partnership over the last four years under the administration of outgoing President Joe Biden. Noting that bilateral cooperation had become stronger across several domains, he expressed confidence that the India-US relationship would serve mutual interests as well as the global good. 

“Delighted to meet @SecBlinken yesterday evening in Washington D.C.

Reviewed the advancement of India-US partnership over the last four years. Agreed that our cooperation has strengthened in many domains, just as our comfort levels have grown correspondingly.

Confident that India-US relationship will serve our mutual interests as well as global good,” EAM Jaishankar said on social media platform X. 

He earlier met US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at the White House for wide-ranging discussions on the India-US strategic partnership. During their meeting, the two also exchanged views on current regional and global developments.

“Good to meet US NSA @JakeSullivan46 in Washington D.C. this morning. A wide ranging discussion on the progress of India-US strategic partnership. Also exchanged views on current regional and global developments,” he said in a post on social media platform X.
 
EAM Jaishankar, who is on a six-day visit to the US from December 24-29, 2024, is scheduled to meet other senior members of the Biden administration as well. While in Washington DC, he is also likely to interact with key members of the new Trump administration. The visit is the first high-level engagement between India and the US following Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential elections earlier this year.

In addition to his bilateral engagements, EAM Jaishankar also chaired a conference of the Consul Generals of India in the USA. He discussed opportunities for deepening the India-US partnership in areas like technology, trade and investments and shared his views on better serving the Indian community in the USA.

“A productive day with team @IndianEmbassyUS and our Consul Generals based in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Houston and Atlanta. Discussed opportunities for deepening India-US partnership, focusing on technology, trade and investments. Also shared views on better serving the Indian community in the USA,” he said on X.

‘India-US Relationship Will Continue to Grow’
EAM Jaishankar recently said the India-US relationship would “only grow” irrespective of the outcome of the US President elections.

Responding to a question during a joint press conference alongside Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra on November 5, 2024, he pointed to the steady growth in the bilateral relationship over the past five US presidencies, including Trump's. On Quad, EAM Jaishankar said it had been revived under the previous Trump presidency in 2017.

“We have actually seen steady progress in our relationship with the U.S. over the last five presidencies, including an earlier Trump presidency. So, when we look at the American election, you know we are very confident that whatever the verdict, our relationship with the United States will only grow,” he said when asked about the possibility of Trump winning the election in the US.

On the other hand, congratulating “friend” Trump on his “historic election victory” in the US Presidential Election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said he looks forward to renewing the collaboration between the two countries to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership.